Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1491153
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 MARCH 2022 OPINION 3 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 JANUARY 2023 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Is there a common vision for Malta? IT is becoming all the more evident that there is a lack of coordination between various authorities and the activities they are engaged in. This is not only leading to a huge waste of resources but is also resulting in one authority jeopardising the work of another. A case in point is the Planning Au- thority's total lack of consideration towards the Malta Tour-ism Author- ity's vision. In awarding new hotel permits, the Planning Authority seems to be diametrically opposite to the Tourism Authority and its vision, with a lack of consultation between the two, which is highly evident. Similar lack of coordination between government led entities is creating massive disruption of business, with this having a significant, negative economic impact. It is clearly the time for Malta to engage in one common vision, which encompasses the various propo- sitions and economic and social sectors to ensure efficiency in the use of resources, better change man- agement and a streamlined process which does not disrupt businesses and the quality of life of the popula- tion at large. Government-led entities seem to be very much engaged in launching pro- jects and propositions on local media. Unfortunately, it seems that these same entities are rather more focused on media exposure than on the ef- fective and productive management of the same projects. The impact of this inefficient project management is resulting in heavy costs for businesses due to traffic congestion, increased fuel consumption and other ineffi- ciencies. The Airport Junction Project is an obvious case in point. Time and again this situation tran- spires due to a huge oversight – the lack of understanding that each sector in an economy like Malta is linked. Despite this being negated by some stake-holders, Malta op- erates on an ecosystem of supply chain management, where all the main sectors contributing to GDP have a direct or indirect relationship with each other. No sector can act independently without ramifications for the entire chain. When corre- sponding government ministries of main GDP contributors do not plan conjointly, these disastrous reper- cussions which come at a heavy price for the entire nation can only be ex- pected. Against this scenario, where lack of vision throughout all sectors seems to be the order of the day, and a shortfall of short, medium, and long term plans is highly appar- ent, the MIM there-fore strongly recommends a common social and economic vision as aforementioned, with an inter-ministerial committee which competently coordinates the implementation of the vision, whilst ensuring minimal disruption and its efficient execution. Reuben M. Buttigieg, Malta Institute of Management